Architecture Random: Candy Crush

Brian and I are I'm very competitive.  It has taken me years to admit it, but I am.  Any video game that Brian has played, I've always found a way to "attempt" to beat his score.  I can only beat him in two games, but other games, I lose horribly.  Then Candy Crush came along. 

Source: Google Images

First it started with me catching up to my sister's level, then I accidentally got Brian hooked. 

Source: Google Images

Before I got serious about studying,  Brian and my sister were trailing me.  Once I got serious about the Architect Registration Exam, I only played Candy Crush in my free time, allowing Brian to catch up.  Two weeks before the exam (during my weakest moments), Brian caught up.  The day after the exam, I found out Brian was 20 levels ahead of me!  Today, he is 40 levels ahead.

Me: Level 213

Brian: Level 253

Now that NCARB started the Black out period for the ARE yesterday, I started my mission to catch up!

Last week, I was 8 levels behind him till I got stuck on level 201.  Brian has felt sorry for me and helped me figure it out.  Today, I'm on level 213 and I'm trying to keep myself distracted while I wait for my Construction Document and Services scores.  I think I can catch up before I start studying for the Site Planning and Design Exam in August. 

Let's see how I do!

It's May!

I'm just going to place this here...

Source: Facebook.com

I will continue with Wednesday's Theme next week!

Exciting Dates

My life hasn’t been that interesting lately but I have been looking forward to a couple of dates:

Thanksgiving is officially 10 days away.

I am more excited than usual this year about Thanksgiving this year because of three things! 

1.      I haven’t seen my family since Thanksgiving 2011 and I will be seeing everyone again for the first time.  Since I’ve moved out of town, I always planned my trips Friday after work.  I always flew, so I didn’t have to worry about driving and eating up my trip.  Now that I’m married and it’s cheaper to drive, Brian and I have been planning our trips around holidays.  This year has been crappy:

a.      Memorial Day weekend is our anniversary so that’s a definite no. 

b.      July 4^th was on a weekday.

c.      Labor Day weekend had a major Hurricane.

d.      I’m not off on other holidays.

2.      My family is hosting Thanksgiving in Virginia.  Every Thanksgiving, my family host dinner in a different State at an Aunt or Uncle’s house.  Last year, they had it in Mississippi.  2010 was in Georgia.  2009 was back in Virginia.  2008 was in Texas.  It’s tough for everyone to make it because of the distance.  This year, we are having it in Virginia again and everyone is going!  My family hasn’t been together since 2004.  Even at my wedding in 2008, everyone was there except for my Uncles in Mississippi and Texas.  Oh and my camera is working again, so I can document this!

3.      Three house visit.  This tradition started in 2008.  Once I moved to Georgia, I had a tough time visiting everyone during the holidays.  I visited my family on my Mom’s side and my in-laws, but my Grandparents on my dad’s side complained that I didn’t visit enough during the holidays.  So I split my Thanksgiving dinner to three visits.  Last year, I made the mistake of portioning my visits incorrectly.  This year, Brian and I made a plan:

a.      Visit my Mom’s house and drop Mr. Tibbs off.

b.      Visit my Mom’s side of the family and make a to-go meal and socialize. 

c.      Visit my Grandparents, eat my first meal and socialize.  My grandmother hates us coming to her house with a full belly, so I have no choice.

d.      Visit my in-laws, eat dessert and socialize.

e.      Stay at my Mom’s house for the first night and eat the to-go meal on Friday.

f.       Stay at my in-law’s house the next two days to make up for the short visit.

Mr. Tibbs’ bird-a-versary is officially 3 days away.

I can’t believe I have had my “little man” for almost 4 years.  His personality has changed so much and I love having him as a pet.  I will post more about it on Tibby Thursday. 

12/16/2012!

My car will be paid off!  My car was the major bill that I needed to be wiped out so I can start saving even more for my exams.  I’m still aiming for January/February to take my first exam.

Project Brian

After Brian stating that I have an OCD with order and his lovely response to "dating an Architect," I decided to start Project Brian.  Before the project, I told Brian that he was feeding my OCD by messing up certain areas that I fix.  After constantly denying this, I decided to documented how Brian rearranges the guest bathroom.  Each day that he would rearrange it, I would fix it to see if it continues.  Documentation was from 9/23 - 9/29.  The items on the bathroom counter are: 1 comb, 1 hair brush, 1 grooming kit, 1 nail clipper, 1 deodorant, 1 contact case, and 1 contact solution.  His other items are located in a drawer.  Here are the results:

The first couple of days, the subject kept things in order.  At first, I thought he was on to me, so I decided to lay low.  Then he had choir rehearsal on the 25th.  That's when his patterns began.

25th: The subject's usual habits are to brush his teeth, brush his hair, put on deodorant and put on his contacts.  As you can see, the grooming kit was not in use, yet moved. 
27th: Brian got a hair cut for the 3 day event for church from 9/28-9/30.  Because of this, he did not need to use his comb, just his brush.  The comb, contact solution and case were moved before his men's choir rehearsal.
28th: Day 1 of his church event.  Only his contact case and solution was moved.
29th: Day 2 of his church event and the final day of documentation.  Not only was he in a rush to make it to church on time, but every item on the counter was moved; even items he did not use.

This study showed that Brian messes up the area more on the weekend.  When he messes up an area, he moves things he doesn't need.  I would do a study for the refrigerator but I guess that would prove his case, lol.

Married Monday: 9/24/12

I'm currently watching the Primetime Emmy's, so this was a perfect time to catch up on a couple of posts for Married Monday and Tibby Tuesday.

Happy Monday!

This weekend had a LOT of ups and one down:

• The bad:
• I screwed up my eye on Friday.  I fell asleep with my contacts and makeup on and now I have a stye.  I've been use to them since I was a kid, but it still sucks to get them.  So for the rest of the week, I will be wearing my glasses with no makeup.  When I was in high school, my doctor told me to rub water and no-tears baby shampoo on it and also use a warm compress on it.  Some OTC stye medicines only clog the pores.  That trick has been helping me ever since, so I'm not too worried.
•  The good:
• Great things happened at work on Thursday and I have been excited ever since.  I won't see it till Friday and I won't go into detail, but I am thankful for blessings.
 
• I currently subscribe to The Krazy Coupon Lady daily email.  I receive coupons for everything and the other day they posted a coupon for a free cupcake pineapple pop from Edible Arrangements.  I love Edible Arrangements but it can be expensive.  On Saturday, Brian and I drove 10 miles to the nearest store.  When we arrived, there was a 30 minute wait for it, so we walked around the shopping center.  Below shows the final product!

I thought it was going to be smaller than it actually was.  Dipped in white and milk chocolate, this cupcake pineapple pop was delicious and juicy!  Have a plate in hand because it can get messy.

•  I am starting a project called Project Brian.  What is Project Brian you ask?  Well after Wednesday's post, I realized that Brian is feeding my "OCD." So, I decided to document throughout the week how he rearranges the bathroom.  Sunday is already documented.  Let's what happens!
 
• Mr. Tibbs and the Emmy's!

Married Monday: Random advice from a stranger

Source: Google Images

On Friday, I had a few errands to run during lunch on my payday.  My car tags were about to expire for the month, so I had to get my emissions test done before I could pay for my tags.  For the past 3 years, I have been going to the same place near my job.  I’m usually greeted by a guy that was close to my age and we would talking about our jobs.  Emissions test usually take no more than 15 minutes, but the conversations usually make the time go by faster.  Today, I met his co-worker.

His co-worker is 38 and loves to joke around.  He was kind of surprised about how unique my name was and that I didn’t look like I was from our State.  We talked a few and he asked me “what did I do and what made you move here?”  I told him about Architecture and what I had to do to get my license.  He was interested in it and wanted to know where I was with the process.  I told him that I was about taking my registration exams and that I was nervous.  That’s when he gave me great advice:   

#1. “Don’t ever admit that you are scared.  That shows a sign of weakness.  Take the challenge, that will create positive results.”

#2.  “There is nothing wrong with staying home all the time – Especially when you are relaxing or studying.  But eventually your mind won’t grow because you are use to the same things.   Don’t forget to go outside and explore new things. I was in jail for 7 years and we stayed in the same 4 walls.  That’s when a lot of people think about escaping or doing other things.  That’s the same theory.”

#3. “Continue to be a Queen.  Guys like to call women outside of their name and sometimes they accept it and it’s not right.  Be a strong Queen to your King.”

#4. “Smile more.  Your smile brightens up a room and you are quick to frown.”

I love when God uses a stranger as a vessel and speaks through them.  It’s the most awesome feeling and the quick pick-me-up that I need sometimes.

Funny Photo Friday - 9/14/12

Week 2 of no camera and limited post.  Work is picking up and it's hard to focus on the post when my boss is either standing over my shoulder or I'm too tired.    I do have time to post crazy pictures that I have found throughout the week.  Enjoy!






Source: uberhumor.com via Chela on Pinterest

 



I actually saw the premiere of X Factor on Thursday (mainly for Britney Spears).  I'm still surprised that Demi Lovato was a judge and the "Sweet Candy Girl" singer let her know, lol.  That still doesn't excuse the fact that this guy is freakin' creepy.

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Michael Jackson and Spider-man reference.  Awesome!

Funny Photos Friday + Update

Happy September!  Yes, I've been gone for a while.  For the first time, I actually had things to post about but I had no pictures.  After my 5 day project last week, my camera had trouble coming on.  Then last weekend, it finally gave out.  I cooked 2 new recipes, Mr. Tibbs and Brian were still awesome, and Architecture got a little better.  But no pictures.  I thought it was the batteries, so I replaced them but still no luck.

Finally, after a week of no camera, it decided to work...then stop.  I know eventually I will need to replace my 4 year old camera for something better, but I'm still going to use it like it was brand new.

In the meantime, I will posts some funny photos I have come across in the past couple of days even a few created by moi:

On Sunday, my sister and my Uncle sent a crazy picture message to my cellphone.  I wanted to reply with a crazy photo of Brian and I, but he wouldn't participate.  So I decided to get my favorite pet, Mr. Tibbs.  He backed away when I first tried to take the picture but I lied to him and told him my Mom was on the phone.  That's when he got closer.  My sister replied with "omg."

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Chela on Pinterest





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Source: nowaygirl.com via Chela on Pinterest

 

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Source: 9gag.com via Chela on Pinterest